Ghost vs Beehiiv
Side-by-side comparison of Ghost and Beehiiv for content creators.
Open-source publishing platform built for serious creators
Newsletter platform built for creator monetization.
What they are
Ghost
Ghost is an independent publishing platform that combines a CMS, email newsletter tool, and membership system in one place. It is used by independent writers, journalists, and media companies who want to own their audience without relying on third-party platforms. The open-source core can be self-hosted for free, while Ghost Pro handles hosting at a monthly fee. The tradeoff is that it is more opinionated than WordPress and has a steeper learning curve for non-technical users.
Beehiiv
Beehiiv is a newsletter platform designed specifically for independent writers and media operators who want to grow, monetize, and analyze their email audience without juggling multiple tools. It includes a built-in ad network, paid subscription tiers, referral programs, and detailed subscriber analytics in one place. The free plan is genuinely useful, though meaningful monetization and advanced analytics require a paid tier.
Which to choose
Full editorial comparison coming soon. For now, check the side-by-side data above and read the individual reviews for Ghost and Beehiiv.